With Rising Keyless Thefts, Is It Time To Purchase A Steering Lock?
The sales of steering locks have doubled according to new figures. This comes at a time when the number of keyless thefts, or ‘relay crime’, are soaring all across the country…
A Steering Lock Boom
According to Halfords, the sale of steering wheel locks has doubled; driven by the rise of the keyless theft phenomenon. Increasingly tech-packed cars are proving vulnerable to new and novel methods of crime. Thieves are using ‘relay’ devices to hijack signals from keys to quickly, and silently, gain access to vehicles. The whole process can take less than a minute. To make matters worse, automakers are proving slow in addressing the vulnerabilities of their models. As a result, motorists are opting for more traditional methods of securing their motors. In a survey of 2,000 drivers, Halfords discovered that 25% of them have opted for a steering wheel lock. Meanwhile, just 5% are using RFID wallets.
Pavan Sondhi, car security expert with the company, acknowledged the effectiveness of physical deterrents. He said, “to guard against falling victim to these car thieves, police are advising drivers to invest in a physical deterrent. Classic steel steering locks first became popular in the 1980s and 90s but remain an extremely effective – and visual – way of deterring thieves, and we’ve recently seen a huge increase in sales as car owners turn to old school solutions”.
Protecting Your Car
If your car has keyless entry, it’s worth taking a few simple measures to ensure that it’s not vulnerable to car crime. A steering wheel lock, as Halfords explained, is a simple and cost-effective way of deterring all but the most determined thieves. You can also invest in lighting for your driveway (thieves hate being visible) and even raisable barriers for your home. These are more expensive depending on how complex they are, but they do mean that the car can’t be driven away even if someone manages to break in and start the engine. Much more simply, keep your keys away from the front of your home and windows; this will make it hard for relay devices to pick up a signal. RFID wallets will prevent the signal from being hijacked altogether, too, so they’re definitely worth investing in.
Ultimately, consider how vulnerable your particular model of car is and the area you live in. Not everyone is at risk, but it always makes sense to understand what yours is. If your car is stolen, the chances are police won’t be able to recover it.
Car Theft Is Becoming Epidemic, Here’s How You Can Protect Your Car – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/car-theft-is-becoming-epidemic-heres-how-you-can-protect-your-car/
Just 1 In 10 Stolen Cars Are Recovered As Thefts Soar – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/stolen-cars-soaring-crime/
